Shows
Breakfast Leadership ShowElection 2022 - Interview with Clea ConnerClea is the CEO of Intelligence Squared US Debates (IQ2US), a nonprofit organization that organizes Oxford-style debates that cover provocative topics such as whether a confrontation with Russia is worth it and if we should use gene editing to make better babies. Debaters get to make their case before an audience, which then votes on who has been the most persuasive.
IQ2US has organized over 185 debates that have reached millions of people through their multi-platform distribution network which includes over 230 public radio stations, TV networks, and their podcast, which has over 4 million downloads. Their debate...
2022-10-3125 min
Open to DebateA Supreme Special Episode: Amy Coney Barrett & The State of SCOTUSWhat would a Justice Amy Coney Barrett mean for American law and politics? Should Democrats try to reform the Court? Two of the nation's top constitutional minds weigh-in, with John Donvan as your intellectual referee in this special episode of Intelligence Squared. Erwin Chemerinsky - Dean, University of California Berkeley School of LawSaikrishna Prakash - Distinguished Professor of Law, University of VirginiaLove to argue? We want to hear from you. Submit your opinion on national deficits to IBM Watson now, and you may be featured in our next Bloomberg television show. M...
2020-10-2345 min
Open to Debate#164 - Should Social Media Companies Honor the First Amendment?MOTION: Constitutional Free Speech Principles Can Save Social Media Companies from ThemselvesPresident Trump posted similar content on Facebook and Twitter. Twitter flagged it. Facebook did not. Both have come under fire for those decisions. Just how should social media companies police user content? Revisit our debate on social media content moderation policies and whether the U.S. Constitution should be the guiding light in a new era of political speech. FOR THE MOTION:David French - Senior Writer, National ReviewCorynne McSherry - Legal Director, Electronic Frontier Fou...
2020-06-2657 min
Open to Debate#180 - Was the Global Financial System Better Prepared for the Pandemic Than 2008?More than a decade ago, Lehman Brothers collapsed, and the world witnessed one of the worst financial crises in global history. In January 2019, Intelligence Squared U.S. hosted a debate on the motion “Ten Years After the Global Financial Crisis, the System Is Safer,” to assess how resilient markets would be in the future. With the emergence of a global pandemic, this has put the debater’s arguments to the ultimate test – whose claims have been vindicated by this unprecedented event?Cast Your Vote: www.iq2us.org/vote Learn more about yo...
2020-05-1554 min![Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]](https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/54f42c98-8b2a-11ea-8b28-3b7a1dbffb40/image/uploads_2F1588285017108-9smvsn4404e-3d9ca1e0e9fb9d3c6de0784cddce2fc3_2F6_Online_square.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress)
Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Agree to Disagree: The Virtues of Virtual LearningJohn Donvan joined Ben Nelson, CEO of The Minvera Project, and David Deming, economist and professor at the Harvard Kennedy School, to do what we do best: argument, but not a formal debate in our usual way. In this exchange, Ben and David “Agree to Disagree,” about how colleges are adapting to online learning, what students and educators are missing, and how we must adapt to the new normal.
2020-05-0130 min![Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]](https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/64d59778-581b-11e6-bdb9-df1de9dd9bf7/image/uploads_2F1482274951764-oq6gxvtiz6fugk1u-7ea2f289d346f652a23d61e81187e896_2FIQ2-Panoply3.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress)
Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Is the Maximum Pressure Campaign Against Iran Working?
2020-03-201h 352020-03-061h 272020-02-211h 182020-02-071h 282019-11-291h 29
Open to Debate#173 - Is Parenting Overrated?How much does our DNA shape who we become? Four experts in science and psychology debate the classic "nature versus nurture" question with a eye toward recent breakthroughs in genetic science and DNA testing.FOR THE MOTION:Robert Plomin - Professor of Behavioral Genetics, King’s College LondonNancy Segal - Professor of Psychology, California State University, Fullerton & Director, Twin Studies CenterAGAINST THE MOTION:Paige Harden - Psychology Professor, University of TexasAnn Pleshette Murphy - Author & Parenting Expert...
2019-11-1553 min2019-11-071h 27
Open to Debate#172 - Has Europe Declared War on American Tech Companies?Should we look to Europe for the future of big tech regulations? Four leading thinkers in tech, governance, and law debate the state and future of big tech, and whether it's time to impose greater regulations on companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google, and Twitter.FOR THE MOTION:Roslyn Layton - Visiting Scholar, American Enterprise InstituteBerin Szóka - Founder and President, TechFreedomAGAINST THE MOTION:Marietje Schaake - International Policy Director, Stanford's Cyber Policy Center & Fmr. Member, European ParliamentRamesh Srinivasan - Director, U...
2019-11-0353 min2019-11-021h 34
Open to Debate#171 - Should We Replace Private Insurance With Medicare For All?As the nation gears up for the 2020 election, Democrats are promising bold new changes to the American health care system, including scrapping private health insurance and adopting “Medicare for All.” Is this a bold and effective way to repair health care in America? Or will it inflate the already swelled federal deficit?Learn more about upcoming debates at www.iq2us.org/buy-tickets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-10-0453 min2019-10-041h 35Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Unresolved: Shifting Power in the Middle EastSaudi Arabia and Iran are vying for regional dominance. Turkey is cozying up to Russia and China. And instability, conflict, and proxy wars have engulfed Syria, Yemen, and beyond. How should the United States respond to shifting power in the Middle East?Staged in our “Unresolved” format, this debate brings together five foreign policy experts to tackle pressing questions on geopolitics in the Middle East, including: Is Trump right on Saudi Arabia? Is the world safer without the JCPOA? And is Turkey an asset to NATO?
2019-09-201h 36
Open to Debate#170 - Unresolved: Shifting Power in the Middle EastSaudi Arabia and Iran are vying for regional dominance. Turkey is cozying up to Russia and China. And instability, conflict, and proxy wars have engulfed Syria, Yemen, and beyond. How should the United States respond to shifting power in the Middle East? Five leading national security experts debate.Learn more about the upcoming season and buy tickets to a live debate at www.iq2us.org/buy-tickets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-09-2053 min2019-08-231h 42
Open to Debate#169 - Is U.S. Policy Toward China Productive?Are recent U.S. policies toward China tough and focused enough to achieve key economic and strategic objectives? Or will U.S. policy escalate tensions too much, ultimately reducing the chances that the world’s two major powers can achieve a sensible accommodation? Join four leading experts for a debate on the motion, “The Recent U.S. Policy Toward China Is Productive.” Learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. and cast your vote to decide the winner at IQ2US.org. Charles Duhigg's "How To" podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoi...
2019-08-2353 minIntelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Has the Transatlantic Relationship Been Irreparably Damaged? - [Unedited]
2019-07-121h 18
Open to DebateBonus Episode: How Europe Is Answering to "America First"Team IQ2US is busy in Brussels, getting ready to bring you our next debate, “The Transatlantic Relationship Has Been Irreparably Damaged.” This one will be presented in partnership with the German Marshall Fund. In this episode, get ready for the debate with a special episode of “Out of Order,” created by our partners. In this podcast, the German Marshall Fund's president Karen Donfried sits down with senior fellow Peter Sparding to discuss the future of the transatlantic relationship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-06-2832 min
Open to Debate#153 - Is Social Media Good for Democracy?A decade ago, Facebook and Twitter promised a digital revolution that would bolster democratic values and empower users around the world. Did that work out? In this episode, we take a look back at one of our most important debates to date. Join four leading thinkers in tech, policy, and media for spirited and timely debate on the motion, "Social Media Is Good For Democracy."Cast your vote on the motion at iq2us.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-06-1451 minIntelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Is Engineering Solar Radiation a Crazy Idea? [Unedited]
2019-05-031h 36
Open to Debate#167 - Should Scientists Dim the Sun?Right now, climate engineers are working on new technologies that would reflect the sun’s rays away from earth. For some, it’s a bold new plan to combat climate change. For others, it's a dangerous attempt to meddle with Mother Nature. Join four leading climate scientists for a debate on the motion, “Engineering Solar Radiation Is a Crazy Idea.” Learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. and cast your vote to decide the winner at IQ2US.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-05-0353 min2019-04-191h 24
Open to Debate#166 - All Hail the Driverless Car?What if the next car you buy or taxi you hail drives itself? Join four leaders in autonomous vehicles for a timely debate on whether society should embrace driverless cars or approach these new, controversial vehicles with caution. Learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. and cast your vote to decide the winner at IQ2US.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-04-1953 min
Open to Debate#165 - Should the Republican Party Re-Nominate Trump?Former Senator Jeff Flake and the New York Times’ Bret Stephens team up to argue the motion, “The Republican Party Should Not Re-Nominate Trump.” They face Kris Kobach, a former Trump advisor and former Kansas Secretary of State, and Fox New’s Liz Peek, who are rooting for Trump 2020.Learn more about Intelligence Squared U.S. and cast your vote to decide the winner at IQ2US.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-04-0554 minIntelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should the Republican Party Re-Nominate Trump? - Unedited Version
2019-04-051h 30
Open to DebateIQ2 Interview: Should You Love Your Enemies?In this special episode of Intelligence Squared U.S., John Donvan sits down with one of America's leading political thinkers to discuss a bold premise: loving your enemies. Arthur Brooks is a best-selling author and the outgoing president of the American Enterprise Institute. His new book, "Love Your Enemies: How Decent People Can Save America from the Culture of Contempt", builds on his decades in politics and challenges Americans to love each other despite partisan differences. Learn more about membership and our upcoming debates at iq2us.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...
2019-03-2952 minIntelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Can Constitutional Free Speech Principles Save Social Media Companies from Themselves? [Unedited]
2019-03-221h 21Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Unresolved: The Techonomic Cold War With China [Unedited]
2019-03-081h 282019-02-1556 min
Cognitive DissonanceEpisode 456: Criminal Injustice PART 2Resources from this episode Check out the Innocence Project The Death Penalty — Civics 101: A Podcast An Execution in Nebraska - The New York Times Perfect Evidence - This American Life DIY - This American Life Should the Wrongfully Convicted Take an Alford Plea? - The Atlantic Can You Prove Your Innocence Without DNA? - The Atlantic The Wrong Man - The Atlantic Jailing the Wrong Man: Mug Shot Searches Persist in New York, Despite Serious Risks - The New York Times DNA Evidence Exonerates a Man of Murder After 20 Years in Prison - The New York Times Was It a Fa...
2019-02-111h 13Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should We Bring Extinct Creatures Back To Life? [Unedited]
2019-02-081h 38
CastologyHow Did This Get Made?, Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates and The Rubin ReportIt's all happening in episode five, if by all you mean podcasts are getting reviewed. Self-proclaimed Castologists Liz, Zane and Patrick kick off by reviewing last week's first THEMED comedy podcast selections (The Jimmy Dore Show, A Very Fatal Murder and The Film Reroll). Then we scooch on over to this week's also-themed offerings. The theme? Panel discussions! Liz suggests How Did This Get Made, Patrick brings select episodes of the Rubin Report to the table and Zane gets us all thinky with Intelligence Squared Debates. Find us on FACEBOOK, TWITTER or INSTAGRAM. Subscribe to us on ITUNES, STITCHER...
2019-02-0330 minIntelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Ten Years after the Global Financial Crisis: Is the System Safer? [Unedited]
2019-01-251h 22Open to DebateSeason Preview: New Year, New DebatesAnnouncing our new season! This winter, we’re taking on new issues, including the state of the global financial system, whether we should try to bring extinct creatures back to life, and whether we’re in a techonomic cold war with China. Our debates will feature leading thinkers like Michele Flournoy, Neel Kashkari, Parag Khanna, Stewart Brand, George Church, Jason Furman, Gillian Tett, Ian Bremmer, and more. To get your tickets, visit IQ2US.org/buy-tickets or text “IQ2” to 79-79-79. To join our Friends Program, visit IQ2US.org/support-us. Learn mor...
2019-01-1104 min2018-11-301h 13
Open to DebateAn IQ2US Thanksgiving TraditionLast year, our host John Donvan sat down with Ken Stern, the former National Public Radio CEO, to discuss his book "Republican Like Me: How I Left the Liberal Bubble and Learned to Love the Right, " which chronicles this lifelong liberal's journey through conservative communities and ideas. Ken sat in on Steve Bannon’s radio show, rallied with the Tea Party, spent Sundays in evangelical churches, and went boar hunting in Texas. The result? A new respect for the conservatives he once demonized and optimism for the state of American partisan politics. Join our host and moderator in...
2018-11-2140 min2018-11-091h 32![Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]](https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/21b10164-d350-11e8-8208-6398917ee838/image/uploads_2F1539958648343-sl1q4zpchoa-31ef62540010bac1b8dbd7908d798bc9_2FDemoSocialIllFinal+-+square.jpg?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress)
Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Will Progressive Populism Save The Democratic Party? - [Unedited]
2018-10-191h 35Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Will Retail Alliances Fix the U.S. Health Care System?What will save, U.S. health care? Some argue that the bargaining power and data competencies of retailers entering into the healthcare business will squeeze middlemen out of an inefficient supply chain and bring more transparency to health care pricing. But others argue that the promise of these novel efforts is overstated, particularly because U.S. health care is so complex and deeply rooted. Will consumer-focused models and employer-led initiatives lead to better and less expensive outcomes? The debaters are Dr. Rajaie Batniji, Dr. Lisa Bielamowicz, W. Gregg Slager, and Rosemarie Day.
2018-10-051h 202018-09-281h 31Open to DebateJoin IQ2US Live in New YorkThis Thursday, September 20th, we’re launching our fall series with an evening of debate on the state and future of American national security. Set in our “unresolved” format, five debaters will fly solo on the following resolutions: It’s Time to Take a Hard Line on Iran. NATO Is No Longer Fit for Purpose. The Russia Threat Is Overblown._____Tickets available here: http://smarturl.it/NationalSecurityTix Use code FRIENDS30 for 30% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices...
2018-09-1804 minIntelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Has Globalization Undermined the American Working Class? [Unedited]Globalization ushered in an era of free trade, fluid borders, and unparalleled corporate profits. But in the United States, jobs are disappearing, and the American working class is losing ground. Is globalization to blame? Did the push toward global integration leave our most vulnerable populations behind, making them the losers of this grand experiment? Or is globalization being used as a scapegoat for a wider range of failed public policies and unprecedented advances in technology? The debaters are Thea Lee, Jason Furman, Jared Bernstein, and James Manyika.
2018-08-031h 222018-07-201h 24Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Trigger Warning: Are Safe Spaces Dangerous? [Unedited]
2018-07-061h 232018-05-251h 422018-05-111h 532018-05-041h 412018-04-271h 38
Open to Debate#147 - As We Evolve, Do We Need God Less?Motion: The More We Evolve The Less We Need God.Does God have a place in 21st century human affairs? Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine, and cognitive neuroscientist Heather Berlin team up to argue for the motion, "The More We Evolve, The Less We Need God." On the other side is integrative medicine advocate Dr. Deepak Chopra and ER physician Dr. Anoop Kumar.To buy tickets to our live show in Chicago on April 17th, visit IQ2US.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-04-0654 min2018-04-061h 402018-02-141h 522018-01-241h 302017-12-131h 49Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should College Athletes Be Paid? [Unedited]Motion: Pay College AthletesCollege sports is a big-money business, with football and basketball programs generating millions of dollars in revenue every year. While coaches and athletic directors in Division I programs routinely score seven-figure contracts, student-athletes are currently prohibited from sharing in the profits. Is it time to rewrite the rules in college sports and allow athletes their fair share of the profits? Or would providing monetary incentives -- above and beyond existing scholarships and career supports -- spoil the sport?
2017-11-011h 422017-10-111h 38Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Is the U.S. Healthcare System Terminally Broken? - Unedited
2017-10-041h 38Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Face-Off with China: Foreign Policy in the Trump Era [Unedited]
2017-09-201h 48Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Your Private Data: Can Tech Companies Keep it from the Law? [Unedited]
2017-06-141h 362017-05-181h 382017-05-011h 45Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Has Walmart Been Good For America? [UNEDITED]Walmart has long been a target for critics of corporate expansion, but does the company really deserve the scrutiny? Some say that the big-box retailer devastates small communities by pushing out locally-owned businesses, mistreats its workers through low pay and restrictive work hours, and forces American companies to use cheap foreign labor to produce goods at a low cost. Others point to the fact that Walmart provides countless jobs to low-skilled American workers, sells affordable goods has increasingly become a leader in sustainability, and attracts new consumers and businesses to it's neighborhoods. Has Walmart been good for America?
2017-04-121h 42Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Is Universal Basic Income the Safety Net of the Future? [Unedited]
2017-03-291h 392017-03-081h 39Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Has the U.S.-Saudi "Special Relationship" Outlived its Usefulness? [Unedited]
2017-02-151h 392017-02-061h 312017-01-181h 48Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should states call a convention to amend the Constitution? [Unedited]Almost everyone can think of something they would like to change in the U.S. Constitution. Some would like to update it to fit new technologies and evolving social mores. Others think the Supreme Court has illegitimately “updated” it too much already, and would like to restore its original meaning. Either way, it is always tempting to invoke Article V to amend the Constitution—to “fix" it, or “restore" it, or “improve" it... The debaters are Lawrence Lessig, David Super, Mark Meckler, and
2016-12-141h 43Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Is Obama's foreign policy a failure? [Unedited]MOTION: Obama's Foreign Policy is a FailureFor many, Obama’s presidency will be defined by its accomplishments. Taking out Osama bin Laden, disengaging from fights in the Middle East that America cannot win, defusing the threat of a nuclear Iran, and refocusing our attention and resources to Asia, where our greatest opportunities and biggest long-term challenges are located. But for others, it has been marked by missteps and retreat—pulling back where action and leadership was needed, and presiding over policies that strengthened our adversaries and disheartened our friends. Has Obama’s foreign policy been a succes...
2016-12-071h 39Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Has Gerrymandering destroyed the political center? [Unedited]
2016-11-211h 24Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should We Give Undocumented Immigrants a Path to Citizenship? [Unedited]Motion: Give Undocumented Immigrants a Path to CitizenshipThere are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, and the question of what to do with them has sparked years of fierce debate, but no significant action. In 2013, the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” managed to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill in the Senate, only to get it dropped by the House. And in 2016, a deadlocked Supreme Court decision stalled President Obama’s executive actions, DACA and DAPA, which would have saved 5 million from deportation. For voters, on this issue, the choice between presidential candidates could not be cl...
2016-11-021h 41Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Is "Big Pharma" to blame for rising health care costs? [Unedited]
2016-10-191h 35Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Are the elites to blame for the Trump phenomenon? [Unedited]Motion: Blame the Elites for the Trump Phenomenon. The elites of both parties have expressed contempt for Donald Trump, and Trump has succeeded in part by channeling his voters’ contempt for the elites. Does support for Trump reflect an uninformed populism and misplaced anger by a large swath of the American electorate? Or have the elites failed to empathize with their struggles, and failed to craft effective policies to help them cope?
2016-09-211h 31Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Climate Change: Has the EPA Gone Overboard? [Unedited]Reducing carbon emissions is clearly good for the environment but often imposes substantial costs. The costs are most obvious when coal companies go bankrupt, but can affect everyone indirectly through higher energy costs, slower economic growth, reduced employment, and lower business profits. Has the Environmental Protection Agency considered the costs and benefits of its regulatory mandates fairly and appropriately? Is its Clean Power Plan a bold initiative to reduce carbon pollution at power plants, or an unconstitutional usurpation of power?
2016-09-151h 30Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Has The President Usurped The Constitutional Power Of Congress? [Unedited]Motion: The president has usurped the constitutional power of congress. The Supreme Court is currently poised to decide whether President Obama’s unilateral immigration actions usurped Congress’s power and flouted his duty to “take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.” But some argue that the President is not exercising legislative power; he is simply exercising his well-established executive discretion. Has the President usurped Congress’s legislative power?
2016-06-151h 20Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Do Hunters Conserve Wildlife? [Unedited]Do Hunters Conserve Wildlife? In 2014, a permit to hunt a single endangered black rhino was sold for $350,000 as part of a program to support its conservation in Namibia. Counter intuitive? Through funds raised from legal hunting—the purchase of permits in Africa, licenses and taxes here in the U.S.—, hunters contribute significantly to wildlife conservation efforts. Hunting has also become an important tool in the effort to control animal populations, to the benefit of humans and wildlife alike. But are big-game revenues really benefiting conservation and local communities? And is hunting a humane way to maintain equilibrium and habi...
2016-05-181h 45Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Eliminate Corporate Subsidies [Unedited]The auto industry, agriculture, the energy sector. What do they have in common? These industries benefit from government subsidies in the form of loans, tax breaks, regulation, and other preferences. Critics from the left and right say that not only do these subsidies transfer wealth from taxpayers to corporations, they distort the markets and our economy. Proponents say that government has an important role to play in launching innovation via strategic investment, and its support helps American companies thrive. Do we need subsidies, or is this corporate welfare?
2016-04-131h 35Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should We Trust The Promise Of Artificial Intelligence? [Unedited]As technology rapidly progresses, some proponents of artificial intelligence believe that it will help solve complex social challenges and offer immortality via virtual humans. But AI’s critics say that we should proceed with caution. That its rewards may be overpromised, and that the pursuit of superintelligence and autonomous machines may result in unintended consequences. Is this the stuff of science fiction? Should we fear AI, or will these fears prevent the next technological revolution?
2016-03-231h 34Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Is Free Speech Threatened On Campus? [Unedited]Protests have erupted on university campuses across the country. To many, these students are speaking out against racial injustice that has long been manifested in unwelcoming, sometimes hostile environments. But to critics, their demands have gone too far, creating an atmosphere of intolerance for opposing or unpopular points of view. Are the protesters silencing free speech, or are they just trying to be heard? And are the universities responding by defending free speech, or by suppressing it?
2016-03-081h 25Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Are Lifespans Long Enough? [Unedited]What if we didn’t have to grow old and die? The average American can expect to live for 78.8 years, an improvement over the days before clean water and vaccines, but it's still not long enough for most of us. So researchers around the world have been working on arresting the process of aging through biotechnology. What are the ethical and social consequences of radically increasing lifespans? Should we accept a “natural” end, or should we find a cure to aging?
2016-02-101h 38Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should The U.S. Let In 100,000 Syrian Refugees? [Unedited]Since the Syrian Civil War began in 2011, more than 4 million Syrians have fled the country, creating the greatest refugee crisis since World War II. The United States has taken in just over 2,000 Syrian refugees since the war’s start, and the Obama administration has pledged to take another 10,000 in 2016. What are our moral obligations, and what are the cultural, economic, and security issues that must be taken into account? Should the U.S. let in 100,000 Syrian refugees?
2016-01-201h 45Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Does The Equal Protection Clause Forbid Racial Preferences In State University Admissions? [Unedited]The Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution provides that: "No State shall … deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” Yet many state universities give substantial preferences to certain races in their admissions decisions. In Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978), the Supreme Court approved such preferences, but the case was close, and controversial, and the question will be back before the Supreme Court this term. One side may argue that these preferences level the playing field, remedy prior discrimination, and enhance diversity within the classroom, thus redeeming the true promise of e...
2015-12-091h 39Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Can Central Banks Print Prosperity? [Unedited]Central banks all around the world have been printing money. This policy, known as quantitative easing in banker jargon, has driven up the price of stocks and bonds. But will it lead to real and sustainable increases in global growth, or is it sowing the seeds of future inflation?
2015-11-251h 35Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Do U.S. Prosecutors Have Too Much Power? [Unedited]Autonomy and secrecy, complex criminal code and mandatory minimums -- in combination, these factors have given prosecutors enormous leverage, and the opportunity to wield it relentlessly and selectively. Do prosecutors have too much power? Would changes reducing the leverage of prosecutors in the criminal justice system weaken their critical responsibility to prosecute crimes and secure equal justice for all?
2015-11-171h 27Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should College Students Be Allowed To Take Smart Drugs? [Unedited]If you could take a pill that would help you study and get better grades, would you? Off-label use of “smart drugs” – pharmaceuticals meant to treat disorders like ADHD, narcolepsy, and Alzheimer’s – are becoming increasingly popular among college students hoping to get ahead. But is this cheating? Should their use as cognitive enhancers be approved by the FDA, the medical community, and society at large? Do the benefits outweigh the risks?
2015-11-091h 27Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should We Raise The Federal Gas Tax To Fund Infrastructure? [Unedited]The Highway Trust Fund provides funding for road, bridge, and mass transit projects across the country – and it’s running out of money. Its revenue source, the federal gas tax, has not been raised in over two decades. There are many arguments for a leaner fund, but proponents of the tax say that it still plays a vital role in supporting infrastructure. Should Congress raise the federal gas tax?
2015-11-041h 33Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Are China And The U.S. Long-Term Enemies? [Unedited]Is China’s ascendancy a threat to the U.S.? China’s rise as an economic and military power, coupled with its aggression in the South China Sea, have led some to call for a major re-balancing of U.S. policy and strategy. Can China be trusted to act as a responsible global stakeholder? And will they be a long-term ally, or adversary?
2015-10-211h 38Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should Courts Or Campuses Decide Sexual Assault Cases? [Unedited]High-profile cases have recently put campus sexual assault in the spotlight. One question that has repeatedly come up: why are these cases being handled by campuses at all? Campus investigations may serve a real need, forcing schools to respond to violence and protecting the interests of victims in ways that the criminal justice system may fail. Can schools provide due process for defendants and adequate justice for victims?
2015-09-231h 31Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Does The U.S. Need To Defeat ISIS, Or Is Containment Enough? [Unedited]The region under the control of ISIS continues to expand, despite airstrikes and the deployment of U.S. military advisers. Should the U.S. goal be containment, or can ISIS be defeated?
2015-08-181h 23Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should States Be Required To License Same-Sex Marriages? [Unedited]The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment provides: “No State shall … deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” And now, the Supreme Court is poised to answer the question of whether this clause requires States to license marriages between two people of the same sex. Does the Equal Protection Clause require States to license same-sex marriages, or will marriage be defined as between a man and a woman?
2015-06-091h 23Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Is Obama's Iran Deal Good For America? [Unedited]In April 2015, the P5+1, the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany, negotiated an interim nuclear accord with Iran. Among the key parameters: Iran’s enrichment capacity, enrichment levels, and stockpile would be limited; its Fordow site converted into a research center; and the Arak heavy water reactor redesigned. In return, the IAEA would gain greater access for inspections, and U.S. and EU sanctions would be lifted. Many in the U.S. fear that a deal as outlined would not go far enough and, instead of being a benefit, would strengthen Iran’s hand in the Midd...
2015-06-021h 37Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Is Smart Technology Making Us Dumb? [Unedited]Smart technology grants us unprecedented, immediate access to knowledge and to each other -- a ubiquitous and seamless presence in everyday life. But is there a downside to all of this connectivity? It’s been said that smart technology creates dependency on devices, narrows our world to echo chambers, and impairs cognitive skills through shortcuts and distraction. Are these concerns an overstatement of the negative effects of high-tech consumption?
2015-05-201h 39Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should We Abolish the Death Penalty? [Unedited]A recent Gallup poll found that Americans are still largely supportive of the death penalty, with 6 in 10 in favor as punishment for murder. At the heart of the debate are many complicated questions. Within a flawed criminal justice system, is it possible to know every person’s guilt with a sufficient degree of certainty? Does the fear of death reduce crime? Are there race and class biases in sentencing? Are some crimes so heinous in nature that punishment by death is the only appropriate measure, or is capital punishment always immoral?
2015-04-221h 35Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Has The President Exceeded His Authority By Waging War Without Congress? [Unedited]The President has launched a sustained, long-term military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. But did he have constitutional power to do so? The Constitution carefully divides the war powers of the United States between Congress and the President. Article II provides that “The President shall be Commander in Chief.” But Article I provides that “The Congress shall have Power … To Declare War.” Did the President exceed his authority and violate the Constitution?
2015-04-071h 27Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should The U.S. Adopt The Right To Be Forgotten Online? [Unedited]In 2014, the European Union’s Court of Justice determined that individuals have a right to be forgotten, “the right—under certain conditions—to ask search engines to remove links with personal information about them.” It is not absolute, but meant to be balanced against other fundamental rights, like freedom of expression. In a half year following the Court’s decision, Google received over 180,000 removal requests. Of those reviewed and processed, 40.5% were granted. Largely seen as a victory in Europe, in the U.S., the reaction has been overwhelmingly negative. Was this ruling a blow to free speech and public information...
2015-03-181h 32Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Are Liberals Stifling Intellectual Diversity? [Unedited]What is college for? For many, it’s a time for personal and intellectual growth, to meet new people, and to explore ideas and philosophies that challenge their beliefs. Or is it? Recent cancellations of conservative speakers, rescinded honorary degrees, and scrutiny of certain campus groups have heightened perceptions that there is pervasive liberal intolerance on campuses. Are liberals shutting down speech and debate on campus? Or is this theory a myth, based on the preponderance of liberals at universities rather than intentionally discriminatory actions?
2015-03-031h 24Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates - [Unedited]Should The World Bet On America? [Unedited]America owes $6 trillion to China, our sprawling military complex often appears helpless against disparate threats abroad, and the War on Terror has stripped us of the moral high ground. Washington is paralyzed by bitter partisanship, our children are falling behind their international peers, and our middle class is no longer the world’s most affluent. But we’ve been warned about America’s decline before. Remember Sputnik? Yes, times are tough, but America is recovering from the Great Recession faster than almost any other advanced country, an energy boom could add billions to the GDP, we’re still a leader i...
2015-02-181h 39